There Are Those Who Talk and Those Who Speak

Michael B. Rodriguez ‘19
“Nothing is too complicated, all can be simple”. These are the wise words that resonated within me after interviewing David Lawrence Jr. Lawrence is the former publisher of "The Miami Herald" and now chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida who came to speak to campus and spoke to students on January 28.

Lawrence visited Belen to give a presentation on his new book, A Dedicated Life but left Belen motivating many of the students and faculty who had the pleasure of hearing his message. A Dedicated Life is the autobiographical journey of Lawrence’s road to journalism and his call to leadership. The first few chapters of the book examine his childhood and the importance of taking risks and seeing their effects first hand. The book also goes into detail about the beginning of Lawrence’s career as a writer for different newspapers.

Lawrence learned much during his time at The Washington Post. In those days, he admired newspaper editor Ben Bradlee, who was one of the best known editors at the time. Later, Lawrence worked at The Charlotte Observer where he worked with and learned from many talented reporters in the newsroom. At the time, Jim Batten was a very motivational editor for The Observer but when he stepped down, Lawrence was asked to fill his position. Lawrence took what he learned from his first days of working in that newsroom along with what he had appreciated about Batten and poured those experiences into the position. This passion is clear in chapter seven of A Dedicated Life when Lawrence writes “In my earliest days, I met with every reporter, editor, and photographer. I wanted to know them, and I wanted them to know me.” Throughout the book Lawrence describes the path of his career, ultimately becoming the publisher of the Miami Herald where during his tenure the newspaper won five Pulitzer Prizes.

At the end of each chapter are short, thought-provoking messages called “A Life Lesson Learned”. These life lessons present the reader with moments of deep thought throughout the book. One life lesson that resonates with me as high school senior nearly ready to journey off to college is, “The adventure of life is making the difficult, even the sometimes seemingly impossible, come to be. That requires toughness and humility—and a willingness to devote whatever it takes, even a lifetime. The goal must be both meaningful and good.”

After Lawrence’s presentation at Belen, I discussed with many of my classmates what they took away from his talk. They all expressed not only a feeling of motivation but a call to serve and learn. If this message is pushed throughout not only Belen but throughout the country, then the next generation will be one of wisdom, thirsting for knowledge and unity throughout the world.

Despite having met countless leaders and inspirational figures from around the world, Lawrence speaks of each experience with humility, no matter if it’s a visit to the White House or meeting the Queen of England. Lawrence has always stayed true in his faith and beliefs. Starting an elementary school (David Lawrence Jr. PLC) and a K-8 public school (David Lawrence Jr. K-8 Center) are just a few of the ways he has followed his vocation to serve.

Lawrence has moved people to embrace the youth of this nation and invest in the future. Being an advocate for early childhood education Lawrence was instrumental in getting the Pre-K for four year olds amendment passed. It costs roughly nearly six times as much money to hold an adolescent in a juvenile detention center than it costs to place a 4-year-old in a school. As a Belen Jesuit student I understand the importance education has in society and the countless doors it opens. People must understand the perhaps intangible immediate effects this movement has.

For those who have had the honor of meeting Mr. Lawrence have learned to live; learned to speak instead of simply talk, to do instead of simply want, and to chase the life so yearned.
 
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BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain.  The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline.  In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty.  The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow.  Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.